Page 20 of Cowboy's Last Stand
“We met at the bar.”
“Do you like Star Wars?”
“It’s OK.”
“Where are you from?”
“Montana.”
“Is that in Mexico?”
“No.”
“Not everyone’s from Mexico,” Natalie said.
“My dad was,” Marcus explained.“But not my mom.”
Jason glanced at Natalie with interest.“My mom was from Canada.”
“Is that in Mexico?”Marcus asked.
“No,” Jason said, smiling.“But it’s a different country, like Mexico.”
Marcus lost interest in Jason’s heritage and started swinging his stick at overhead branches.Natalie had tried to teach him to respect other cultures and to take pride in his own.Last Chance was a diverse town full of military families.Most people were kind and treated her with the dignity afforded to war widows.
Marcus tossed his stick aside with both eyes intact.Natalie relaxed a little, enjoying the mild day.The mix of sun and clouds hinted at more rain to come.When they arrived at the auto parts store, Natalie held Marcus’s hand to keep him close to her.Jason took the old belt to the counter and inquired about a new one.Then he filled up a bin with hoses and gaskets.Natalie brandished her credit card without complaint.
Jason didn’t offer to pay, but he looked conflicted about it.She was glad he stayed quiet because she didn’t want to argue in the Auto Stop.
“Can we get ice cream?”Marcus asked as they left the store.
“Not this time.”
“Come on, Mom!”
“You can have ice cream at home.”
“I want bubble gum flavor.”
“Sorry, bud.We’re not doing it.”
Natalie didn’t agree to ice cream from the Sweet Treat often.For the price of a single cone, she could buy a whole pint at the grocery store.Marcus found the stick he’d discarded earlier and used it to wreak havoc on nearby branches.They walked a few steps behind, giving him space to swing.
“We could stop at the park and let him loose,” Jason suggested.
She chuckled at his wording, which made her son sound like a wild animal.Marcus loved this idea.As soon as they were close to the park entrance, he raced past the gargoyles and went straight to the playground.She sat down on a bench that overlooked the park.Jason took the seat beside her.
“He’s got a lot of energy,” Jason said.
“You’re telling me.”
“How do you manage?”
“I don’t know.It’s exhausting.”
“Do you have help?”
“I have a babysitter.”
